Posted
by
samzenpuson Wednesday January 25, 2012 @06:05PM
from the bottom-of-the-barrel dept.

Sparrowvsrevolution writes "With much of the web upset over about Google's latest privacy policy changes, it's helpful to remember it could be much worse: A search engine called Skipity offers the world's worst privacy policy (undoubtedly tongue-in-cheek), filled with lines like this: 'You may think of using any of our programs or services as the privacy equivalent of living in a webcam fitted glass house under the unblinking eye of Big Brother: you have no privacy with us. If we can use any of your details to legally make a profit, we probably will.' The policy gives the company the right to sell any of your data that it wants to any and all corporate customers, send you limitless spam, track your movements via GPS if possible, watch you through your webcam, and implant a chip in your body that is subject to reinstallation whenever the company chooses."

Hello, Senator. I'm glad you could meet with me. I wanted to talk to you about an... anomaly we noticed with your gmail account. It seems that all of those racy emails you've been sending to your intern—you know, the 15-year-old son of your biggest donor—somehow made their way into a mail queue that is scheduled for delivery to your wife and her divorce attorney some time tomorrow.

Now I know what you're thinking. How could this happen? We're not really sure. The point is that it has happened. We can make sure those messages never get delivered by deleting the queue, which we'll do, but we need something from you, too. Good. I'm glad we could come to an understanding.

Sorry to be the one to break this to you, but it's quite possible that there are two real racists on Slashdot. Maybe more! In the short term a post may have a silly moderation like that, but over the course of a day or two things will usually average out.

Besides - if you're the original AC, you're the one who is creating multiple accounts for the purposes of shilling and up-modding yourself, so you have no right to complain.

They've always been good at it. They've just been media darlings for so long that they got away with it. But the tide is turning: look at Google Plus Your Search. It's so controversial that Larry Page threatened critical employees that if they didn't like it, they should be working somewhere else.

Google has become another big corporation never happy with the money it's making. Facebook has replaced email and other aspects of the web, and that threatens Google's advertising dollars, which is over 98% of their revenue source.

Hm, nope, sorry, the frothing at my mouth, the yummy taste of my own bile, and the warm feeling of my blood pressure shooting through the roof disagree with your facts.

Besides, I hate, and as we all know, hate is the only sign of authenticity on teh intarnets. You can't honestly say you like anything unless you're a shill. You know how all those shills like things? Case proven. HATE HATE HATE HATE

Infiltrated by Google employees and well-wishers, Slashdot consistently offers justifications for every bad behavior and terrible decision coming from Google.

This will get modded down because trolls have taken over the moderation system and openly subvert it. That's fine. It just proves my point about how Slashdot reacts to anything outside the partyline. This site's news reporting is old, antiquated, and slow...

I was going to mod your trollish, vaguely conspirational, over-the-top comment down indeed, but I will reply instead. You regurgitate all the worn-out memes about the Slashdot community, who is actually anything but of one's mind. Yes, geeks and people who make the effort to think over issues have some stable opinions. This scandalizes you? Tough luck. Yes Google enjoys a favorable opinion here, and why not since their interests and ours coincide in many ways, plus they have shown courage and judgment in their actions (China, SOPA-PIPA). We also happen to know that some well-known PR houses are leading an anti-Google campaign, I understand that the way Steve Ballmer is treated around here may cultivate in him some murderous ideas, which he has actually expressed quite vocally not too long ago, but well, he deserves it.

Google is not above criticism, but you will surely not convince anyone around here that the bogy stories we read from people like you and the language you use can lead to a well thought, well articulated conversation.

the partyline has been pretty much turning against google lately though, whilst some people think that all anti-google posts are paid, as if they needed to be paid. the reason is pretty simple, not even all google paid employees like what they've been up to lately.

personally I think converging all services into one is the biggest crap with google lately, of course defaulting to showing page previews and all that crap too. I still use their services but that's just the core services. and sure yeah, they fina

Yes, geeks and people who make the effort to think over issues have some stable opinions.

In the case of Google, had some stable opinions. In many ways the USSR brought out the worst in America. Now Facebook is doing the same to Google.

The underlying problem, I think, is that Google's advertising service doesn't have a strong market lock-in. If search shifts to local over night, Google is hosed. Social has more lock-in than search.

Google has done much to admire. I'm still hoping this is just a phase. It's particularly galling to have to put up with all these Google+ changes designed to nobble Facebook, because I never gave a rat's ass about Facebook in the first place. I wish they would pat my cookies down, then denude my pages of all share and plus icons. Now I have two boy prostitutes pawing at me, instead of one. Don't you get it? You're not my thing.

actually, ALL of you are part of a campaign, deliberate or not, to poison slashdot, which alone is more worth, has created more insight, than google, microsoft, apple, facebook and twitter combined.

this used to be a vestige of cynical people who aren't fucking stupid, now it's endless bickering about some prostitute corporations, as if those didn't have their own PR outlets. cut it out, all of you. anyone who reads any of it, or spends a single mod point on something that is PURE NOISE, is basically a trait

The sad thing is he isn't even trying. I mean, even Natalie Portman covered in tobasco ^H^H^H^H^H^H^H hot grits while (wooshing over Ethanol-fueled) would have the decency to post an obligatory xkcd [xkcd.com].

And probably a shill for a competitor. I have not seen valid criticism of Google getting down modded. I have only seen shill posts like yours with no substance get modded down to oblivion. The only tech columnists reporting this conspiratorial stuff with no basis in facts are people like MG Siegler or other well known idiots that are paid by Apple or Microsoft.

Apparently, the reporting is bad. It's slow. it's biased. It's a hive-mind. Antiquated. Outdated. Hypocritical. A bubble. A linux advocacy masquerading as a news site. The moderation system has been openly subverted by trolls and the site itself infiltrated by Google and Google well-wishers. No commenters come here except to reaffirm their opinions with the rest of the hive.

I don't know about him but as for me....some of us miss the old days? Slashdot USED to be the kind of place where there would be a 300+ posting arguing merits of various file systems, various features of different OSes and even if you didn't agree with a poster dammit you LEARNED because everyone brought their A games and you might even end of with some of the guys who actually wrote the thing involved in the conversation. Once we were having a conversation on various quantum theories and when i spoke up and said i was having trouble grasping a concept someone who was actually working at one of the particle accelerators came on and nicely explained in layman's terms the particular quantum effect they were shooting for and why that would be useful in computing. it was quite nice and very civil.

Now you won 't get two posts in before its crapflodded with "die" "go fuck yourself" "your a shill for (insert company)' frankly 4chan is often more civil than the dick waving fanbois we have around here now breaking the flow and fucking things up. you can't simply surf at a higher level because some of them are making 200+ accounts to get modpoints to modbomb with and often anyone that dares to not suck the koolaid they are guzzling by the gallon becomes an "enemy of freedom/truth/puppies" and will be constantly modbombed. As far as I've been able to pick up the current fanboi raging hard on list is FOSS yay, Apple yay unless its VS FOSS then boo, MSFT boo, Canonical can be yay or boo depending on the day of the week,Oracle used to be yay because they were competing with MSFT until they bought sun so they are now boo, Google yay no matter what, its all just fanboi dick waving which doesn't matter what kind of citations you provide its groupthink or bust.

and THAT is why/. has seen its numbers dropping like a stone, because people are getting sick of the bullshit and bile thanks to the broken mod system encouraging douchebaggery. As soon as i can find a website similar to what/. USED to be i'll be moving on, but its not easy finding tech sites that aren't just commercials in website format. But i can understand his frustration because those of us that remember what this site was like in the late 90s/early 00s can tell you it was NOTHING like this, it was a place geeks of all kinds would go and discuss all matter of gear and tech and learn quite a bit in the process. the only thing I've learned here in the past few years is there is an amazing amount of ways one can combine curse words and insults I previously didn't know about. Oh and to make the fanbois (or those with a perception bubble as I've been told is a more civil way to say that) feel at home let me say "All go to hell except cave 76!" and you can just insert whatever makes you go squee for cave 76 and feel accepted.

Slashdot USED to be the kind of place where there would be a 300+ posting arguing merits of various file systems, various features of different OSes and even if you didn't agree with a poster dammit you LEARNED because everyone brought their A games and you might even end of with some of the guys who actually wrote the thing involved in the conversation.

No, Grandpa Simpson, it never was. Perhaps you're thinking of Usenet before the Great Renaming?

software store [homesandgardenings.com]
new look shoes [homesandgardenings.com]
Thanks for taking the time to discuss and share this with us, I for one feel strongly about it and really enjoyed learning more about this topic. I can see that you possess a degree of expertise on this subject, I would very a lot like to hear much more from you on this subject matter

Note that they give a bunch of circumstances in which they will use your private information, but then they add in "or as *allowed* by law" which means they can do absolutely anything with your information that isn't illegal.

Somehow I think people misread it as "or as required by law" which is an altogether different thing.

Note to humanity, if your judgement is a comparison of "what is" and "the worst of all possible situations", you will allow yourself to be harmed up until the time where you ARE in the worst of all known situations... and it will be too late to act.

No, Google is not the worst of all possible situations, but they have acted sufficiently for us all too be concerned about what they do now, what they can do now, and what they are able and willing to do in the future.

This isn't news by any stretch of the meaning.. And a viral marketing campaign posted to the front page yesterday about psychics remote sensing aliens? Jesus Slashdot.. NO news is better than turning yourself into a tabloid. Please stop with the posting of non-events and get back to the real reporting:(

I don't think it's as funny as you think it is. I dunno, maybe the quality bar for comedy these days has been lowered a fair bit but I find reading *this* kind of article as tedious and uninspired. Ok, sure, mocking the potential reality we might soon face.. people need that. But then it's not funny then either, it's somber trying to appear funny.

"This product is meant for educational purposes only. Any resemblance to real persons living or dead is purely coincidental. Void where prohibited. Some assembly required. List each check separately by bank number. Batteries not included. Contents may settle during shipment. Use only as directed. No other warranty expressed or implied. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Postage will be paid by addressee. Subject to CAB approval. This is not an offer to sell securities. Apply only to affected area. May be too intense for some viewers. Do not stamp. Use other side for additional listings. For recreational use only. Do not disturb. All models over 18 years of age. If condition persists, consult your physician. No user-serviceable parts inside. Freshest if eaten before date on carton. Subject to change without notice. Times approximate. Simulated picture. No postage necessary if mailed in the United States. Please remain seated until the ride has come to a complete stop. Breaking seal constitutes acceptance of agreement. For off-road use only. As seen on TV. One size fits all. Many suitcases look alike. Contains a substantial amount of non-tobacco ingredients. Colors may fade. We have sent the forms which seem right for you. Slippery when wet. For office use only. Not affiliated with the American Red Cross. Drop in any mailbox. Edited for television. Keep cool; process promptly. Post office will not deliver without postage. List was current at time of printing. Return to sender, no forwarding order on file, unable to forward. Not responsible for direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages resulting from any defect, error or failure to perform. At participating locations only. Not the Beatles. Penalty for private use. See label for sequence. Substantial penalty for early withdrawal. Do not write below this line. Falling rock. Lost ticket pays maximum rate. Your canceled check is your receipt. Add toner. Place stamp here. Avoid contact with skin. Sanitized for your protection. Be sure each item is properly endorsed. Sign here without admitting guilt. Slightly higher west of the Mississippi. Employees and their families are not eligible. Beware of dog. Contestants have been briefed on some questions before the show. Limited time offer, call now to ensure prompt delivery. You must be present to win. No passes accepted for this engagement. No purchase necessary. Processed at location stamped in code at top of carton. Shading within a garment may occur. Use only in a well-ventilated area. Keep away from fire or flames. Replace with same type. Approved for veterans. Booths for two or more. Check here if tax deductible. Some equipment shown is optional. Price does not include taxes. No Canadian coins. Not recommended for children. Prerecorded for this time zone. Reproduction strictly prohibited. No solicitors. No alcohol, dogs or horses. No anchovies unless otherwise specified. Restaurant package, not for resale. List at least two alternate dates. First pull up, then pull down. Call toll free number before digging. Driver does not carry cash. Some of the trademarks mentioned in this product appear for identification purposes only. Objects in mirror may be closer than they appear. Record additional transactions on back of previous stub. Unix is a registered trademark of AT&T. Do not fold, spindle or mutilate. No transfers issued until the bus comes to a complete stop. Package sold by weight, not volume. Your mileage may vary. Known as Hellman's east of the Rockies. Beware of greeks bearing gifts. Beware of gifts bearing greeks. This side up. Don't take any wooden nickels. Don't take candy from strangers. Void where prohibited. Caveat Emptor (Buyer beware) Caveat Vendor (Beware of street people). Donde esta el bano. Beware of DOS. Look both ways before crossing the street. All your base are belong to us. Always wear safety belt. Always wear deodorant. Don't forget to breathe. If you park, don't drink...accidents cause people. This supersedes all previous notices.

This modified disclaimer may not be copied without the expressed written consent of whoever I stole it from."

Really? That is the BEST privacy policy I've ever seen. As proof I offer the fact that I actually read it all the way through, and enjoyed reading it. Neither of those things has ever happened before...

Considering ALL godwin says is that the onger a discussion drags on, the more likely the reference to Nazis, Hitler, etc would be made, so what? The law doesn't do more than to point out an inevitability, and I wish SOME of the people out there who scream Godwin would get that.

The bottom line is that you are using Google's services FREE OF CHARGE and if you don't like their new privacy policy then you are free to use some other service, free or paid, of your own choice. And if you believe the outrage will be/is so tremendous, feel free to start your own competing services with a 'better' policy.